Community Brag Posts

Built this with matching benches that will store underneath the table completely.  Thanks for the great ideas!!

When we resurfaced our deck last year we had to remove the built-in benches due to code regulations, so I knew I would get to make new benches this year. We wanted them to be a flexible size so we could rearrange the deck easily for eating, entertaining, enjoying the sun and the shade. Based on the size and shape of our deck, a square table for 6-8 people was going to be the best option.

After looking at a couple design plans, I decided to combine a few plans to get exactly what we wanted. To get a mid-sized square table I used the leg structure of the Fancy X Table with the construction method and the stability from 2x6s of the Square Pedestal Table. The top is joined from seven 45.5" lengths of 2x6 and two lengths of 2x4s. It ends up being 52.5" square. It is snug for eight people, but comfortable for six. We didn't end up using the skirt boards so there would be more knee room. The base is mounted on the diagonal for the same reason.

For the benches, I used the supports from the Fancy X Benches, with the bordered top from the Triple Pedestal Farmhouse Bench, since it would match the table top better. The benches are 48" long, and only two supports were used for each, inset 5" from the end of each bench. Likewise, I used a single stretch of 2x4s for the seats rather than seam them in two parts like the 106" long original plans. I did add an extra 2x2 support board under the seat platform to keep the 2x4s even over time. Overall, I made five benches - four for around the table and one for next to the BBQ. They are blue so they provide some color against the brown deck and green tree tops that surround the deck.

For both the table and the benches, I pre-stained the surfaces that make up the inside of the Xs. It made it easier to get good coverage there.

I also made a quick flip-down BBQ prep station, on similar lines to the Flip-down Wall Art Desk out of two 5/4x6 and two 5/4x4 cedar boards. The shelves are on adjustable pegs.

The costs broke down - with all hardware, screws, putty, sandpaper, stain, etc. - as: $90 for BBQ station (lots of hardware), $200 for 5 benches, and $155 for the table. I did a lot of sanding and filling to get the rough 2x4s smooth. In the end, there was about 50 hours in the benches, and 20 in the table. The BBQ station was less than a day, including mounting.

Thanks to Ana White and Lady Goats for the idea from their prior plans on the Rustic X Bookshelf. The bookshelf is 6ft tall and the shelf height is perfect for DVDs or books.

It didn't take me long at all to make these. I enjoyed making them and all my neighbors love them. They have a nice amount of space. I actually had to make mine smaller than the instructions. I had most of the wood on hand.

This was one of those "Labor of Love" projects. I was nervous about the rockers but the hardest part about them was getting the ends rounded perfectly. I didn't scribe the legs, instead I cut and assembled both sides and then laid them up against my rocker 1x4s. I marked where the legs met the rockers and then cut the rockers leaving the areas where the legs met at full width. Made it much easier. I also rough cut the rockers and used my orbital sander to bring the wood down to my pencil lines. I had the rockers clamped together for the entire sanding/cutting process. I love the silky smooth finish of the milk paint and hope my nephew and his wife love the finished cradle as much as I do. Thanks for a wonderful project Ana!!

Submitted by Carla Santiago on Facebook - 

We did a bench, I got your plans off Pinterest. We just put a slight slant to the back and we love it. Thanks for the great plans.

This project goes together very easily. Had my adult son come by and make it for his daughter.

Did make one adjustment ... the supporting bar on the small frame ... the one that determines the opening angle ... at 6" the chair was too open ... at 6 1/2" it was more comfortable for the little ones. We used glue and air-gun brads for joining ... once dry I was able to sit in the chair without collapse!

I needed a sandbox for my little guy and came across these plans about a year ago. Needing some basic woodworking tools I put it off for a bit until I got a circular saw for Christmas. Come May I figured it was a good time to get this done.

The plan was easy to follow, and it went together quickly. The only time consuming part was waiting for the paint to dry. Since this was going to be outdoors I wanted to make sure it got treated in some way. I saw similar colors from another brag post and decided to roll with that. I also added landscape fabric to the bottom to prevent weeds from growing in.

This was loosely based on one of the media cabinets on this site.  I built it to fit this spot exactly and used many of the same design elements as in the Leighton media Suite I built several years ago.  One thing I want to mention I did with this design that is a FABULOUS idea in all media units.  Inset the back of your lower section.  I hate not being able to run the top of my "counter" flush with the wall because the back of my unit or bookcase is running into all the plugs in the outlet.  I left a little larger of an overhang than I normally wood to clear the baseboards and I inset the backing of this peice about and inch inward to leave lots of room for all the chords to just hang there but be hidden.  They are much more accessible and now the top of my unit is flush to the wall.  

Isn't this the coolest pencil holder EVER?! Hubby made this from a landscape timber with the drill press. Love how you can see through the holes in the bottom!

He used a hole saw attachment on the drill press, after cutting the block of wood down with the miter saw. This one is the prototype, from scrap wood. I'm thinking this would be absolutely gorgeous in Cedar! This received a quick sanding and 2 coats of clear water based poly.

As soon as he teaches me how he did this, I'm going to post the plan for 'Dan's Super-Cool Pencil Holder!' Thanks Honey! :)

I needed a place for my kids to put their shoes so I shrunk the plan for the X Console and made it fit my entry way. I love it!